Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma
 |
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (July 2011) |
| Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma | |
|---|---|
| Titular Maharaja of Travancore (monarchy abolished) | |
 His Royal Highness Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma | |
| Predecessor | Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma |
| Born | March 22, 1922 |
| Died | December 16, 2013 Thiruvananthapuram |
| House | Venad Swaroopam |
| Dynasty | Kulasekhara |
| Father | Ravi Varma Kochu Koil Thampuran |
| Mother | Sethu Parvathi Bayi |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma (22 March 1922 - 16 December 2013) was the titular Maharaja of Travancore. He is the younger brother of the last ruling monarch of the Kingdom of Travancore, Maharajah Chitra Thirunal Rama Varma.
Early life
Born as the younger son of Maharani Sethuparvathi Bayi and Ravi Varma Koyi Thamapuran on March 22, 1922, Marthanda Varma was educated in the palace by a group of 14 tutors in various subjects. He later graduated from the then Travancore University with Economics, Politics and History as specialisations in 1943. He was the recipient of the Moncombu Aandi Iyer Gold Medal for the best student in Sanskrit from the varsity. He was respected for his erudition.
Titular Maharaja
Uthradom Thirunal became head of the Travancore royal family after his elder brother and the last princely ruler of Travancore Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma passed away in 1991. Uthradom Thirunal, although having no real administrative power, was a popular figure in Travancore, and had daily engagements with regards to bestowing awards and opening functions. He also maintained his ritual position at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple as the custodian of the temple, and was involved in events relating to this.
Community involvement
- Patron-in-Chief Thiruvananthapuram Kendra Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
- Chief Scout Travancore Boy Scouts Assoc, Travancore-Cochin Boy Scouts Assoc and Kerala Boy Scouts Assoc.
- Chief Patron Sneham Super Speciality Hospital Project
- Patron Sri Swati Thirunal Sangita Sabha since 1991
- Patron Shree Uthradom Tirunal Hospital (SUT)
- Patron Muthalamada Sneham Charitable Trust
- Patron Trivandrum Tennis Club (TTC) since 1938
- Patron Trivandrum Club
- Patron Trivandrum Friend-in-Need Soc
- Patron Ananthapuram Non-Resident's Association (ANORA)
Personal life
Uthradom Thirunal joined the firm of Plymouth and Company at Bangalore in 1952, working there and also studying the functioning of industries at a basic level. He is the Chief Scout of the regional Boy Scout troop, and was also a patron of local hospitals and charities. He married Shrimati Radha Devi, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Krishnan Gopinath Pandalai, MB, CM, FRCS, LRCP, late IMS, sometime Supt. of the Government General Hospital, Madras. He has a son, Anantha Padmanabhan and a daughter, Parvathi Devi. Uthradom Thirunal resided at Pattom Palace, Trivandrum. His Royal Highness passed away on 16 December 2013.
Titles
- 1922–1991: His Highness Maharajkumar Sri Marthanda Varma, Elaya Raja of Travancore
- 1991–16/12/2013: His Highness Sri Padmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Marthanda Varma, Kulasekhara Kiritapati Manney Sultan Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Bahadur, Shamsher Jang, Maharaja of Travancore
Honours
- King George V Silver Jubilee Medal, 1935
- King George VI Coronation Medal, 1937
- Indian Independence Medal, 1947
Military Appointments
- Hon Col Travancore Univ Labour Corps
- Hon Lt Col The Maharaja's Bodyguard (Travancore-Cochin State Forces)
References
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